Review: Blue Angel Vodka

This new California vodka is distilled from (unspecified) American grains and distilled four times, and distiller (and inventor — he also created a battery-powered sticky note dispenser) Maurice Kanbar says he goes to great lengths to filter out hangover-causing congeners. Blue Angel, he says, contains less than 0.01 grams of congeners or fusel oils per liter of vodka, so for those obsessed with avoiding hangovers, well, this might just be the right stuff.

I wish I had more to report about the taste of the spirit, however. Very traditional in structure, it’s got loads of medicinal overtones. Ice (and a little meltwater) helps, but not much. Blue Angel may not give you a hangover, but I find it too rough around the edges to drink enough of to find out for sure.

Those who enjoy classic, old-school vodkas may get a kick out of the practically retro flavor of Blue Angel. Those wanting a base for their froufrou girl drink won’t be fans.

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16 Responses

LeonoraMay 15, 2009 / 5:30 am

What an ugly bottle. Kanbar, when I knew of him, was always jealous of Sidney Franks and Grey Goose (he called it “Gay Goose” which just shows how petty he is) and this looks like a poor imitation. Whilst SKYY has been a great success, everything Kanbar has done since has been wacky to borderline insane. First there was that stupid cola drink, then the poison headache inducing Vermeer and then those stupid Zip Note machines. This bottle looks like something from 1970 and it should have been left there. Maurice – grow old gracefully and realise you’ll never beat Grey Goose.

I met Kanbar years ago. He’s quite a bizarre one! He is impatient, he lacks manners and he isn’t exactly the kindest man around. He is known for his temper and it’s hardly angelic. If this vodka is nearly as bland as SKYY, this for sure doesn’t deserve an ounce of success

Why doesn’t everybody commenting here try doing something entrepreneurial themselves. Even when he’s pushing 80, he’s taking the risk and trying new things… something all of you will probably never do…

And before I would dare open my trap, Mandy, about Mr. Kanbar not being “angelic,” I would do my research and discover the countless philanthropic endeavors he’s pursued over his years… from cataract removers to new/revolutionizing syringes (which ALL of you have been injected with), don’t worry about the man being anything sub-par to angelic… oh, and why don’t you take a visit to the Kanbar Cardiac Center in San Fran and find out for yourself?

Wow. I thought this was a site about drinks, not character assassination. I just noticed there are two asses in assassination! How appropriate. If you don’t like Blue Angel, don’t drink it. And if you are a perfect human being, congrats. I certainly have a long way to go, but I know better than to judge people I don’t know.

Kanbar is AWFUL. He may well have given a few million to charity but that is probably his way of making up for all the people he’s screwed over (eg Henry Kaufman, his former business partner who beat him in court) and his terrible temper. As regards Blue Angel, I’m definitely boycotting it.

We’re getting the same exact character-assassinating posts over on my review of Blue Angel. I’ve deleted them since they have nothing to do with the vodka, but wonder whom is to blame – an ex-lover? a former worker? I think that it’s all the same person but have no clue.

Hal –
I carry Blue Angel vodka at the Waterfront Restaurant and have had everyone try it to get their opinions. So far everyone loves it and I have turned an Absolut and Ketal One lover into staying with Blue Angel now. I’ve just recently put it on my shelf for about a month and a half now and have gone through atleast seven bottles already. I put it above everything on my vodka shelf and its moving fast right along side Grey Goose. Great job Maurice!

Blue Angel Vodka is very harsh to the taste. Does require cultivating a taste. Personally, I prefer Grey Goose. I will give Bue Angel a much fairer evaluation because I received a bottle as a Christmas gift. I think that no product should be touted because it originates from California. California is not the end all to be all…